MIGHT CHOOSE INTERNMENT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVII, Issue 21529, 16 December 1939, Page 9

MIGHT CHOOSE INTERNMENT

Impossible to Leave Port Dramatic Development Expected Ited Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright LONDON,. December 15. I ruguay has apparently rejected the German appeal to allow the Graf Spee to remain for thirty days. informed circles would not be surprised if the Graf Spee chose internment. although dramatic developments are expected. Reuter learns that reinforcements for the British cruisers makes the movement of the Graf Spec impossible. According to a Berlin message Uruguay has informed Germany that the Graf Spee will not be permitted to remain over twenty-four hours. Paris radio states that Montevideo dockyard engineers refused the German Embassy’s request to repair the Graf Spee. Uruguayan Cabinet Summoned The American National Broadcasting Company, broadcasting from Uruguay, states that it believes the Graf Spee is preparing to sail almost immediately to run the gauntlet of the British death watch outside Montevideo. The German tanker Tacoma sailed carrying 600.000 gallons of fuel oil, and presumably, will await the Graf Spec. The Montevideo correspondent of the United Press of America states that sources close to the German Legation expect the Graf Spee to leave within a week.

The broadcaster further describes damage bo the Graf Spee. She has a hole five or six meet in diameter on the port side, sixty feet from the bow and five feet above the waterline, the forward observation tower is split through, and one of the towers near the forward six-inch guns is practically torn from its base. The Graf Spee’s damage is such that she is unable to depart immediately. It was indicated that she would be give time for repairs before internment proceedings arc instituted. The Uruguayan Cabinet has been summoned to consider the position of the Graf Spee, which lies battered in Montevideo Harbour, while three British warships are maintaining a vigilant patrol outside. Meantime the Graf Spee is keeping her dead and wounded aboard. The Graf Spc? technicality has until midnight on December 14 (Uruguayan time) to sail or to seek an extension of time. The Montevideo correspondent of the United Press of America states that sixty-two prisoners were released from the Graf Spee. The United States Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull) indicated that Western Hemisphere countries may consult and possibly protest to Britain and Germany rgainst violation of the safety zo ?. He ar’led th rt t he was authoritatively informed that the Graf Spec would be permitted to remain at Montevideo for 48 hours or longer, if necessary, to effect repairs. An inspection of the Graf Spee reveals that two shells pierced the fighting tower, entering on the port said and emerging on the starboard side. Two sections of the forward starboard armoured plate were smashed. There were five impacts, apparently from small shells, on the port side at the waterline. The tail of the fuselage of an aeroplane was shot off. The extent of the interior damage cannot be ascertained. Extension Unlikely A British Official Wireless message states that international law permits belligerent warships to take refuge in neutral waters and remain until repairs sufficient to make them seaworthy are effected, after which they must leave subject to 24 hours' notice. There Is substantial support for the view that an extension of stay or use of shore facilities to repair damage due to enemy action should not be allowed, and a number of neutral Governments have Issued express regulations denying the use of shore facilities or any extension of permitted stay beyond twenty-four hours if the damage Is due to enemy action. The Montevideo correspondent of the United Press states that the British cruiser H.M.S. Cumberland has arrived in Uruguayan waters. The Exeter's commander requested permission to land 100 men to attend the funerals of the Graf Spee’s dead. “Will Not Lose Iler” The Minister of Defence Co-ordina-tion (Lord Chatfield), replying to Lord Strabolgi in the House of Lords, who alleged that the Admiralty was withholding information, said: "I have no doubt that the Graf Spee will soon go to sea again—for a short time. We have been hunting for the Graf Spee for some time. You can be assured that any ship that has got into touch with the German is not going to lose her, even if it meant going to the bottom. That is the spirit animating the Navy.” Lord Chatfield added that the international problem regarding the Graf Spee at present is a matter under active consideration between England and Uruguay.